Chapter 3

A/N: So, since my poll was so close, here is another chapter of Flame and Frost. This will update weekly on Monday in the future. Thank you so much to everyone who has been reading and reviewing. Thank you to SassyNoles, Maplestyle, and 2 brown eyes for prereading. They are awesome. Thanks also to Alice'sWhiteRabbit for her beta magic. Someone asked last chapter- Bella, Alice, Rose, and Jessica are all 16. Edward, Emmett, and Jasper are all 17. None of them are Cullen's though, that is just Carlisle. Now onto the story.

Rose and Alice took me to my room, and Jessica was there. We all talked a little, but when my stomach rumbled, I realized it had been some time since I last ate, so we all headed to the cafeteria for breakfast. All the other students were milling about and getting ready for their classes.

I thought back to what Edward had called me earlier.

"Hey, guys. What did Edward mean when he said I was just another leech?" I asked.

"He said that to you?" Rose asked.

I nodded. Rose clucked her tongue, and she looked angry.

"Edward is a purist," Jessica said.

"Edward's an ass," Rose interrupted.

Alice rolled her eyes. She looked like she'd heard enough arguments between these two. It made me snicker. She continued what Jess had started. "Carlisle thinks you can manipulate energy and turn it into something you can use. Edward thinks we should only be able to use powers we have on our own and not take energy from someone else. When he first got here, Carlisle's wife accidentally touched him when her powers weren't under control, so it made Edward really weak, and she spent the next few days trying to control the powers she had temporarily sapped from him. He's forgiven her because it was an accident, and she doesn't use her powers to steal powers from others, but since then, he doesn't like 'leeches'."

"I wasn't trying to take his powers. He wouldn't get away from me, so I got him away from me. He grabbed me, and yeah, I was hurting Jasper, but I'd let go of him." Alice frowned, and I winced. "Sorry, Ali. I still don't understand my powers fully, and I had no idea why he was there."

"No, I get it, Bells. Believe me. When I first arrived here, I couldn't control anything. I heard everyone's thoughts, things were being constantly moved by my mind, and none of my visions made sense. I was in physical pain and near crazy from everything in my head. Mr. C really helped me learn how to control it all."

I nodded. I had no idea it had been so out of control for her, and now, her falling off the grid made a lot more sense. I got into line behind my friends, and we walked through, grabbing our breakfast. I grabbed some yogurt and fruit. We all sat down together and were soon joined by Jasper and Emmett, which unfortunately meant Edward would come soon. I saw him enter the room, and I rolled my eyes.

"So, here's something that has been bothering me since yesterday. Ali, you said that the others were looking for me too. What did that mean?" I asked.

Everyone at the table looked extremely uncomfortable. I had a feeling that whatever they told me was going to be another thing that might make my emotions get out of control. "Wait," I said when Alice opened her mouth to speak. Edward sat down, and I didn't even spare him a glance. "I have a feeling this isn't going to be good. Jasper, can you try to keep me calm? I know I have no right to ask, but I think if I know it's coming, I won't try so hard to block you."

Jasper gave me a slow, easy smile and nodded. I gestured for Alice to continue. She looked really happy that Jasper and I were getting along. "Well, Mr. Cullen teaches us to learn to control our powers, and it's fine to use them to help people but never to hurt people. Other gifted people use their power to hurt people—for monetary gain, or even more power. Basically, there are the good guys—us—and there are the bad guys, the others. They were looking for you, and we just got there first."

I wrapped my arms around myself, a little sick to my stomach. I knew the answer to my question, but I still had to ask it. I locked eyes with Jasper, and I felt a sense of calm rush over me. It enveloped me, settling over me like a comfortable blanket. "Why were they looking for me, Alice?"

"After what happened at your school, word leaked out."

"Yeah, but just because I lost it at school doesn't mean I would be into their cause or even worth the trouble."

"You don't realize how powerful you are, do you?"

"I freeze stuff. It's not that great or really even that useful."

"Bullshit!" Edward yelled, slamming his fist on the table. His skin started to turn red, and I grabbed the edge of the table. His hostility was setting me on edge and frost started to form under my hands.

I heard Alice talking with Jasper, and all I heard him say was I had blocked him again. I stood up.

"What is your fucking problem? Since the moment I met you, you've been nothing but a class A asshole. You have a problem with me, stop being a little bitch and tell me what your issue is."

"I have a problem with you, Swan. You're the most dangerous type of person because, instead of realizing the power you have and trying to learn to control it, you would rather downplay it and feel sorry for yourself. Grow up before someone gets hurt!" he yelled, grabbed his jacket, and stalked out of the cafeteria.

I'll admit that part of what he said made sense, but I was still pissed. What right did he have? He knew nothing about me. I pushed aside the chair I was holding on to and followed him. Emmett blocked my path. I raised my hands, my palms facing out. "Get out of my way."

"Bella—"

Rose told him to let me go; she knew that when I was angry, there was no rationalizing with me. I walked past Emmett, got outside, and saw Edward still stalking away from me. I yelled his name. He stopped, waited a moment, and then turned around. I caught up to him and pushed him by the shoulder.

"What gives you the right to come at me like that? You don't know shit about me," I said, feeling my control snap. I knew I'd turned blue, but I didn't even care for once.

"I've met enough people like you, and guess what, eventually they always turn darkside. No point in being all buddy-buddy with someone who will eventually be gunning for all our deaths," he snarled. He was still red, and I knew we were just pissing off each other more.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I said, pushing him again. This time, I used both hands on his chest. "Rose and Alice are the closest things I have to sisters; I would never try to hurt them."

"You tried to hurt Jasper. You froze Mr. C's office after hitting him with your frost, you hit Emmett, and you leeched energy from me. You may never hurt them, but you seem to be doing it to everyone around them."

"I don't know how to control it! And you attacked me, Masen! What the hell is your excuse? You obviously haven't learned control."

"I was trying to stop you before you really hurt someone," he murmured.

"I had actually started to calm down. You made it worse, and I wanted you away from me. I don't know why Carlisle wants me to work with you; you're such… a fucker!" I yelled, turning around to stomp off. Edward grabbed my wrist to stop me, I felt my stomach flip, and immediately, we both turned back to our regular skin tones. Our eyes locked, and I gasped. I pulled my wrist out of his grip. I didn't like that feeling. Like I was in a freefall. It made me feel out of control but stupid happy at the same time.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing."

"No, what did Mr. C tell you?"

I huffed. I think maybe Edward wasn't supposed to know, but I'd let the cat out of the bag already, so no going back now. "He thinks that due to the nature of both of our powers it would actually be better for us to work together. I don't know why, and he didn't elaborate on it."

"I need to go," he said and abruptly took off.

I just stared after him, stunned at his abrupt departure and what the hell had happened when he'd touched me. I stomped my foot and ice formed where my foot had landed. I watched it grow and expand about two feet in every direction. When I looked back on it now, I'd never slid on ice. My entire life, I would watch people hit the ice and end up on their asses, but I never had. It was ironic 'cause I never liked winter or cold weather, but now the cold didn't bother me. I had felt it wrap around me enough times that I came to equate it with power and a comfortable friend.

I met my friends back at the table I'd left them at and silently sat back down without saying anything. Alice looked at me like she wanted to say something. Rose, the saint she was, broke the tension.

"So, Bella, do you want to follow me to classes today until you talk to Carlisle?"

"Um, babe, you have training first period. It's okay. Ice Queen can roll with me first period," Emmett replied, putting his arm around my shoulder. I smiled at Emmett. There was something about the big guy that made me feel like we'd been friends for years.

"But Edward is in that class too. We really don't need another showdown," Jasper said.

"I still don't understand that jerk's problem with me. He said something about me turning darkside." I waited for someone at the table to explain that, but everyone just ended up tensing up and looking extremely uncomfortable. "Okay, someone needs to start giving some backstory." Rose, Alice, and Jessica exchanged looks. Jasper minutely shook his head. I, however, caught it. "You know what? Forget it," I said. I got up and walked out. I heard feet pounding behind me and turned to see Emmett catch up to me.

"Don't be too angry with them, little one. It's not really our story to tell you. Edward has reasons to be wary of newcomers, and he doesn't trust easily. Alice told you that there are gifted people out there who don't always choose the good path."

I nodded because I remembered her telling me there were the good guys and the bad guys.

"Well, sometimes gifted people come here before they decide which side they really want to be on. It fucking sucks to realize that someone you become friends with is no longer on the same side as you are anymore," he said, looking a little melancholy.

"You guys made friends with someone who chose the other side?" I asked.

He nodded. "Yeah. And like I said, the rest isn't my story, but Edward wasn't always so cautious with his trust," Emmett explained.

"It was a girl, wasn't it?" He didn't answer me, but I could tell by the look on his face that I'd hit the nail on the head.

"She was really strong too; not as much as you, but she was impressive. I honestly think Edward is probably a little afraid of you too."

"I just don't get that. I can't even control my powers yet."

"Yeah, and look at all the things you've done already. Imagine what you could do if you meant to," he said, raising his eyebrows.

I smiled and shook my head. He nudged me with his elbow. I realized that we'd made it to a building that I assumed was probably where classes were. I followed him inside, and it looked like any high school but on a smaller scale. Maybe like a private school. There was a bank of lockers here and there.

Emmett made his way over to one, saying hi to a few students here and there. He opened his locker and grabbed a couple books and notebooks. He handed me a notebook and a couple pencils. I thanked him, and he shot me a wink and a dimpled smile. He explained that the classes we all took were regular subjects like English, history, math, etc., but they also had some bearing on our having extraordinary gifts.

We walked into a classroom, and Emmett walked to the last row of seats, right in the middle of the row. We were able to see everyone who entered the room, and I immediately felt like I was on display. I hated the curious glances everyone was giving me. I scooted my seat a little closer to Emmett, and I shielded my eyes with my hand. I saw Emmett looking at me with curiosity.

"I feel like everyone's looking at me. I hate being the center of attention."

"Well, you're new, little one. You're the shiny new toy, so learn to embrace it," he said, waggling his eyebrows.

I smiled despite the situation. "I don't think it's something I'll ever enjoy."

Jasper and Edward walked into the classroom. Edward actually stopped mid-stride when he saw me, and I refused to look at him. I was still trying to shield myself from all the stares. Emmett chose that moment to come to my aid. "All right, this isn't a sideshow; stop fucking staring."

Everyone became really interested in the front of the room. "Thank you," I said, leaning toward him.

"I got your back, baby Belle."

I giggled and shook my head. His little nicknames for me were about me being smaller compared to him. I couldn't imagine anyone bigger than him, but my new reality was filled with things I didn't think were previously possible. The thought of running up against someone bigger than Emmett did kind of freak me out. I also was sure I didn't want to run into these "others."

Every time Emmett and I whispered to each other or laughed at each other's jokes, Edward would throw looks our way like he couldn't believe we were becoming friends. I knew Emmett said he had trust issues, but the dude needed to chill. I was in an unfamiliar environment, and I had new powers that I knew nothing about; it was hard to trust what everyone's motives were, but having friends like Emmett, Alice, and Rose helped a lot.

I realized that the fighting between me and Edward was more than likely to continue until he relaxed around me, so I chose I would try to cut him some slack. Looks like Carlisle's suggestion of being the bigger person and taking the high road seemed the only way we would make any progress. So, even though the looks he kept throwing at me and Emmett pissed me off, I ignored them and acted like Edward wasn't even in the room.

The teacher lectured for about half an hour. She was really pretty, and she held herself with such class and warmth. She reminded me of the perfect TV mom within a few minutes of her talking. When someone asked a question, I was left wondering why someone called her Mrs. Cullen. I leaned toward Emmett. "Is she related to Mr. Cullen?"

Emmett chuckled. "I forgot you're still so new, we get along so well, and you just fit in. That's actually Mr. C's wife, Esme."

"Oh!" I remembered Alice telling me about what happened between Edward and Mr. Cullen's wife when he first got here. She was wearing long gloves that went almost to her elbows. It made me interested to find out what her power was, and there were so many powers that were useless to whatever was going on in my mind, so I wondered if her powers would affect me.

Mrs. Cullen wrote our assignment for the rest of the class period on the whiteboard and then walked around the room. When she made her way over to us, she introduced herself. "You must be Isabella. Carlisle has told me so much about you."

"Please, just Bella. Yeah, he and I certainly had an interesting first meeting."

"We've all had our little slip-ups when we first learned about our powers. I almost killed someone by giving them a hug, so you're not the only one."

"Oh my … that's so scary. How old were you?"

"I was about 15. He was my first boyfriend, and my parents completely freaked out. Luckily, the boy came out of his coma a week later. I left home and eventually found Carlisle. Then we opened this school. This really is the best place for you while you learn to control your abilities."

I smiled at her and nodded. "Thanks, Mrs. Cullen."

She smiled back at me, and then moved onto the next group of students. I turned to see Edward watching me with a weird look on his face. I turned back to Emmett. "Okay, seriously, he's making it really hard to try and be nice."

Emmett chuckled. "If Rosie wouldn't hand me my ass, it'd be fun to mess with him."

"What is going on with you and Rose. I can't believe she lets you call her that; she never used to let anyone get away with it."

He gave me a big, dimpled smile and leaned forward toward me. "Oh, she hated it the first time I ever did it. Dropped me to my knees with her electricity. She's a feisty one. She and I just clicked right away. I've never met a girl who is as beautiful on the outside as she is inside."

"Rose definitely has the heart to match all of that outer beauty."

"So, you, her, and Alice all used to be friends?"

"Yeah, we all grew up in a shitty, tiny town in nowhere Washington. We've been friends since we were like five years old. Their parents died in a car crash about 4 months ago, then they left, and I got powers about a week after they left."

"How did you find out you had them?"

I told him the story about the glass of water, and we traded stories and histories while we finished our assignment. Even though I technically didn't have this class, I still always enjoyed the methodical task of doing classwork. I helped Emmett with some of the questions he was having problems with, and he handed in our classwork. Esme told everyone that they were free to go when they were done with their assignment. Emmett and I grabbed our supplies and went to find Rose.

We found her in the building we had been in when I had frozen Carlisle's office. She looked a little worse for wear. She had a dirt smudge on her face, her shirt was torn, and her hair was all messed up. I took pity on her. I took the hoodie I had on and gave it to her, wiped off the dirt smudge, and did her hair up in a quick French braid. She smiled and thanked me.

"So, are you ready to start following me around? My classes are better than his. Although, you may want to find someone else for the last class period of the day because it's the same as the one you were in."

"She can come with me," Alice chirped, scaring the shit out of me and Emmett. Rose just smiled, and I knew they had just done that freaky twin thing. "It's with Edward though, so there's that."

"Well, it's not like I can't be civil. I just spent the last class hour with him staring at me, and I didn't stab him with an icicle."

We all laughed, Rose linked arms with me, and we headed off to her next class. I could already tell the rest of the day would be better than this morning, and because of Emmett, it was still pretty awesome.

A/N: So, how are we feeling. Bella is starting to fit in and make some friends. How do you feel about Edward? Do you agree with him? Let me know what you think. Until next week lovelies!